I am about to tackle my first motorcycle tire change (Shinko 705s on my Strom), but I need help with balancing. For the life of me I can't remember if the white dot (or whatever colour it is) represents the heavy spot or the light spot on the tire?

Thanks
Richard

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'12 DL650 Glee in White

Never argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference.

It's traditionally supposed to be at the valve stem with the assumption the valve stem adds weight and the dot is at the light spot. There are a lot of variables involved and many tires don't even have a spot any more though.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

Thanks GW... If they have a white dot, I will mount them opposite the valve stem.... Then I'll just have to make sure they are balanced as much as possible (moving the wheel weights if need be) before mounting them.

Richard

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'12 DL650 Glee in White

Never argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference.

The valve stem is rarely the heavy spot on the rim. Remove the old tire. Remove all old weights. Check rim for balance, and mark the heavy spot. Add weights to balance rim. Mount tire. Check for balance and mark the light spot on the tire. Break the bead and rotate the tire on the rim so that the two spots line up. Remove the weights and rebalance. I rarely have to use more than two 1/4 ounce weights using this method.

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EZ-RDR55
The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not represent that of any other humanoid past, present or future on this or any other planet.

'95 H-D FXDWG
'06 Honda CRF250X
'04 KTM 450EXC
'97 Honda XR-600R
'04 K1200LT (Sold)
'07 K1200GT (Sold)
'09 Wee-Strom DL-650ABS

...or use Dynabeads. Simple, quick, and effective.

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2007 DL1000
2006 CRF50 with big-boy mods.
1973 RD350

I normally use less than .75 oz to balance, but the other night I had to use 2.25oz. I spun the tire to a different spot on the rim 3 times, but it always needed 2.25oz. Seems like a lot and I'm hoping the Ride-On sealant helps.

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2012 XT1200Z Blue, 2012 XT1200Z Black

Richard,
What you stated above is incorrect. In mounting a tire that is marked with a "dot", you want to place the dot where the valve stem is on the rim.

"Rule-of-thumb", the dot on a tire is the light spot. The valve stem on a rim is the heavy spot. The two want to be together; in essence negating each other and "balancing" the tire.

Here is a video of "at home" balancing a tire/wheel without any special tools.

Balancing A Tire.

Here is a tutorial on using Dynabeads.

I have had tires changed and balanced professionally. I have changed and balanced my own tires both "traditionally" and with Dynabeads.

Where I have ended up is, I don't balance my tires. If the tire has a dot on the sidewall, I go ahead and mount the dot next to the valve stem and then I ride the bike. I am finding it a very rare instance that I can feel any vibration or other symptom from not balancing my tire/wheel assembly with one of the above mentioned methods.

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2007 DL-650 (111,000 + miles)
"A word grows to a thought; a thought to an idea; an idea to an act. All the pieces are put together, and the whole is yours."
1942, Beryl Markham: "West With the Night"
"In most men, there lurks a lesser man, and his presence smells in the the sun."
1961, Ernest K. Gann: "Fate Is The Hunter"

Thanks Black Lab... I meant to say what you said ( I mean about the dot being at the valve stem, not opposite), but I think I am a bit dyslexic today...

Thanks again (and for the links)

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'12 DL650 Glee in White

Never argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference.

Just in case anyone is wondering, I found that the heavy spot on both my Vee's rims was indeed the valve stem. Amazing.

That's the first time I've seen that happen, though, and I've changed tires on at least a dozen bikes. So it's still a good idea to check the bare rims for balance on every bike.

My front Shinko 705 had a mark, but the rear did not. I had 2 ounces attached on the rear when I decided to break the bead, rotate the tire half a turn, and rebalance. It then came into balance quite nicely with only one ounce.

So I suspect that my rear should have had a mark. Maybe it got rubbed off somewhere along the way. I dunno... the Shinkos work great on and off the pavement, so I'm happy.

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2002 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom, Dark Metallic Space Blue
1983 Suzuki GS850G, Cosmic Blue
2005 KLR650, Aztec Red - Turd II, the ReTurdening

Never bother balancing, just mount and go.

-GW

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GrayWolf
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"I wouldn't take a million dollars for the experience, but I sure wouldn't give a red cent to go through it again" -Chester Russell
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2005 DL650 "Maelstrom"
2003 KLR650 "Lou"
1978 Triumph Bonneville 750 "Boomer"
Stromtrooper Offroad Club Member #3
Blue Wee-Strom Club #69